Facilitating innovation in construction : directions and implications for research and policy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight for future innovation research activities and for the role of universities in working with industry to promote innovation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an overview and synthesis of the literature on innovation and the role of universities. This is supported by interviews, case studies, and surveys within academic and industrial communities. Findings – The paper identifies that innovation, whether at an international, national, regional, firm or project level of analysis, continues to be at the forefront of the mind of policy makers and practitioners alike. Nevertheless, our understanding of innovation is far from complete. More research is required to study innovation at these different levels of resolution and at different points in the project life cycle. In order for the research base to play its part in promoting construction innovation, an engagement mechanism is required that brings together academia and industry in a way that recognises and responds to these multiple perspectives on innovation. Originality/value – The paper creates value by synthesising literature on construction innovation and highlights areas for further research. Based on this, a model for effective industry/university engagement is proposed